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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2013 23:42:32 GMT -5
The new scene that they were greeted to was a battle field. Around them soldiers of various ages, genders, and even races, battled each other. People died by the second. Lara could only estimate the actual numbers of the people around them, somewhere in the thousands. Screams and grunts of soldiers were combined with the clinks of metal on metal and the occasional sounds of explosions sounding from magic.
Looking around Lara couldn't make out which side was which. All she knew was that she was in the middle of this, whatever this was... Looking further at two men fighting against each other, Lara did recognize one quality in one of the enemy. One was void of expression, and its eyes were a hollow white. Upon further examination Lara noticed that the soldier was actually cut in several places. However he did not bleed! In fact he didn't even look alive!
Lara could guess suddenly what they were witnessing. This was a battle in the universal war! What battle though, Lara was not so clear about. Looking at the background, Lara could see several large cliffs and plateaus surrounding a large valley that they stood in.
Looking on Lara could see just what it must have been like to be in such a battle as the one around them. What before looked like just countless of deaths on one side, actually proved to be one side loosing soldier after soldier for them to just rise and turn on there comrades! It was one thing to hear about, but another thing to see entirely. The soldiers on the forces of good froze at such a sight, some to be struck down. Others dropped their weapon and ran!
Lara hated to watch something like this. "Yet you're a division commander in an army. What would you think might happen if you were brought into another war? This vision is not the only of it's kind I'm sure." Alvi's voice spoke to Lara. She just drowned it out like always.
Trying to focus on the battle instead of the tormenting voice of her past, Lara watched the dead and whoever controlled them continue to kill and slaughter as pandemonium increased. It seemed like this was going to end very quickly when a soldier broke through the line of retreating soldiers. It was the soldier from before, dressed in dark blue armor. However this time he wore a helm that completely his his identity.
The helm was connected to the same thin material that connected the plates. It completely covered the face with different plates making a v-shapes one after the other. Small red dots were in-between the plates that, though not glowing, made it look like it had several eyes on each side. It held only a dagger in its hands, but each time the dagger struck one of the undead enemies, it seemed to have an acid like reaction to it. The skin began to sizzle and wither away until all that was left of the undead soldier but its clothes and armor.
The figure struck enemy after enemy, and Lara knew that they were watching that deaf soldier. At least he had been wearing the same armor, minus the helm of course. Each time an enemy tried to attack him, the attack blocked off the man in his suit of armor. It didn't even slow him! "Follow him men!" A voice shouted from somewhere back in the retreating forces. The still living soldiers let out a battle cry and charged to follow the soldier.
Finally the area once again became hazy until it whitened out of existence. However instead of a new scene, Lara found herself back by the fire. The bard continued to strum his instrument and his lips continued to move, but for a moment no sound could be heard. At this point, Lara did not know that everyone else around her had just shared the same experience as she had. She just continued laying down by the bard and looking at him with stunned eyes.
"And then after the battle he was never seen again. Some say he eventually fell to an enemy soldier. Others say he was not stopped. However the tale of the Silent Soldier is spoken to new recruiters in the Enchanted Domain on the very first day. Of course they don't know the story as I have shared with you. I've traded many a secrets to obtain the first hand accounts of the Silent Soldier that I used in my tale."
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Post by Sprow on Jan 2, 2013 0:00:17 GMT -5
The next thing Rekka was pulled into, she nearly leapt out of her skin. Every which way, there were others fighting all around. It was confusing to figure out who was enemy and who was ally in all of this. It wasn't until she looked at one particular scuffle did she realize that upon closer inspection, the two that were fighting, one appeared to be dead. In fact, as one fell right before her very eyes, they returned to life seemingly and turned on their allies. Just what the heck was going on? Had this been the war that took place so many years ago?
'This is terrible!' had been Rekka's only thought. It sickened her to watch the scene play out. Were they to ever experience such a thing? The thought made a shiver go down Rekka's spine.
Eventually, someone adorned in armor appeared. Rekka really had to get a good look at the armor they wore to really register it was armor. At first, she had thought it was some sort of species considering the red lights on it that almost reminded her of eyes. The person in armor was slaughtering any foes that got in his way. The way it was done though was quite odd. It looked like the bodies that had been stabbed went away like acid or simply speedily eroded before one's eyes.
Someone ordered them to rally behind that man and they took off after him. Had that been the mute warrior from earlier? That was the only one that Rekka could think of since they seemed to be following him, specifically. Before long, the scene changed and there they all were, sitting around the fire again as if nothing had happened. Rekka had to blink and glance around before realizing that what they experienced hadn't been real. Well, no in context of them getting hurt or actually being there. The experience was amazing, to say the least.
"That was...an interesting tale." She wasn't sure what else to say. She was just glad they weren't stuck back during that scene. That would suck to be stuck in that and not being able to get back out.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2013 23:00:13 GMT -5
"Well thank you for that um... tale... bard." Justin said. Lara nodded in agreement with Rekka and Justin. It was an interesting experience to say the least. Looking up at the moon, she found herself stiffing back a yawn.
Bartimaeus put his lute away and took out his own sleeping pack. "It was my pleasure to share it. A bard lives to share stories."
"That was a very interesting way to share it." The bard hid back a grin at Lara's words.
It was pretty late it seemed to Lara, and seeing as she had the second shift she wanted to get some sleep. "Good night everyone." Lara said. She was leaving the watch in very capable hands.
"More capable then you humans anyway." Alvi sounded in her mind. His comments were always demeaning to Amber in some way.
"Serious sometimes I feel like I've gone crazy." She said under her breath.
"Nope just denial Amber." That was not her name! She was Lara now. Amber was no more. Though she was starting to feel like pretty soon she might have to become Amber again. At least once they reached the Enchanted Woods. Otherwise how else would they make it through the woods and to Elfhiem. These thoughts troubled her as she fell asleep.
Watching people begin to sleep, Ty glanced at Rekka. "If you want someone to warm your bed for the night, I'm here." He said with a tiger's grin.
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Post by Sprow on Jan 4, 2013 8:23:43 GMT -5
By the time they had exited that odd world that showed them the tale Bartimaeus revealed to them, Rekka could finally see the moon out and the stars. Justin had soon thanked the bard but seemed sort of weirded out. Rekka couldn't blame him over it. She, too, had found it a strange way for a tale to be relayed. It was an interesting way though. It was just like experiencing a movie only you were right in the tale, not outside looking in at it. The only thing was that you didn't interact with the story. As Bartimaeus spoke, Rekka could tell that it was the bard's talent. Hopefully, he will find that story.
Having been pulled away briefly from the sight of the flames, Rekka had been able to feel better again. However, as soon as she spotted it again, another feeling came over her once more. The fire, it felt familiar, as if it were her. Before she could really focus on it, Lara had spoken to the bard, saying his way of telling the tale had been an interesting way of sharing it. At this, Rekka had given a nod, her eyes no longer fixed on the flames and that sensation going away.
It wasn't long before Rekka bid everyone a goodnight. As everyone started settling down, Rekka heard Ty's comment. She gave him a flat look and for a split second, the flames nearby seemed to react a little too. The flames seemed to have become a bit more furious, wild as if given rise in response to Rekka's unhappyness at such a comment. "I mean you no disrespect, Captain Ty, but no thank you and could you please stop with the lewd remarks?"
As she turned away, finally settling down in her own sleeping sack, Rekka didn't think she'd really need any help keeping herself warm anyway. The sleeping sack felt abnormally warmer to her than usual. Shutting her eyes, not letting herself gaze at the flames, that feeling of warmth ebbed away. Just what the heck was wrong with her? Did she maybe have a fever or was she coming down with something? Rekka surely hoped not. Eventually, she managed to drift off into sleep.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2013 23:42:45 GMT -5
Captain Ty looked a bit taken aback by Rekka's disapproval. Almost as if he expected her to want nothing more then to get with Ty. Well he just shrugged his shoulders and said, "Suit yourself." That of course was not answering her question at all about the rude remarks. It remained to be seen if he would stop or not.
Lara slept by the fire and before she knew it she was being awoken by Ty for her turn at the watch. She did not dream. Or if she did, she didn't remember the dreams. She stayed silent, glancing at everyone's sleeping forms. The fire seemed to continue growing in the night. It was quite odd because Lara didn't even have to feed it wood. It continued to burn the same intensity as if by magic.
Gazing in the flames, Lara wondered just what else lay ahead for them on this journey. Surely there would be battles. And then Elfhiem... It was a scary thought that Lara wasn't ready for.
"I would like to make a proposition for you Captain." The sudden sound of someone awake made Lara start. She summoned her armor out of habit and was a step away from summoning her weapon as well. "Woh! Sorry I didn't mean to startle you."
Glancing past the fire, Lara spotted the owner of the voice. It was the bard. He was sitting up and holding out his hands to show he meant no harm. Sighing, Lara let her armor disappear. "It's alright, you just startled me. What is it Bartimaeus?"
Clearing his throat he said, "I would like to accompany you on your mission."
Lara's thoughts were immediately that this would not be a good idea. She did not know this man. She didn't trust him either. Nor did she want to look after him. This was not an easy mission, adding another man would just make it harder.
"I know what you're thinking. I'd be a burden, and you can't trust me. But I know the mountain pass well. I've traveled it many a times. I can fight and defend myself. I would not slow you down."
Lara's first question was, "Why?"
The bard paused a short moment to think his next words before responding. "There is something special about your party. I do not believe in casual interactions. There is a reason we met at this camp. I feel as I am supposed to follow you."
It was an easy answer. "I'm sorry. But the answer is no."
"Well just think on it. If you change your answer you can tell me tomorrow." The answer was not going to change. There was no reason for it to change. Lara did not trust the bard nor did she want another member to her party.
Watching the bard lay back down, she continued to watch the fire until the bard fell asleep again. Then it was time for Justin to take the last shift. Falling asleep came quick, and it was the sound of Justin's grunt of "Wake up ya'll." That woke her up.
Morning had come and it was time for their mission to resume. Lara ordered everyone to pack up and eat something small from their packs for breakfast. It would be another day of hard riding. Once everything was packed it came time to say goodbye. "Thank you for the story last night bard. And don go spreadin around that I'm a dwarf to the people at the castle town either." Justin told the bard.
Bartimaeus smiled. "I wouldn't dream of it dwarf." This brought a curse from him as he turned beet red and walked away.
Lara rolled her eyes and turned to the bard. He raised an eyebrow to ask the obvious question if her opinion had changed. Her answer was a firm shake of her head to indicate that it did not. He sighed and nodded. In fact he looked slightly disappointed as well.
"You can't please everyone Lara."[/i] She said to herself. "Thank you for the story and you're company. Goodbye Bartimaeus." She wished him. Turning before he could answer or ask again she headed towards her horse.
Bartimaeus turned towards Rekka. Everyone else was by their animal. "Well dear thank you for answering my questions. A word of advice though, don't run away from the flames. Sometimes the fire can help us." He said cryptically.
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Post by Sprow on Jan 7, 2013 4:28:30 GMT -5
Rekka had been polite about it and hoped that would be the end of it after making that request of Ty. He seemed taken aback and merely stated to suite herself. Well, at least he seemed to stop for now. Whether or not he'd continue remained yet to be seen.
As she settled herself down, she had been facing the flames. The fire seemed to grow with intensity that she couldn't explain. Maybe she was just imagining it? Either way, looking at it just seemed to keep sparking something in her. She realized this after seeing it a few times and getting that odd feeling. Eventually turning herself away, Rekka was able to finally get rid of that feeling in herself again. Just why couldn't she look at the flames? Maybe it was the light? The light could be making her feel sick because it was dark and she wasn't accustomed to a wild light that shifted?
Drifting off into slumber, she knew nothing of the worries of Lara. It wasn't until morning when they were woken up by Justin that Rekka had realized the night was over. Yawning, Rekka gave a bit of a stretch before climbing out of her sleeping sack. Pulling on her boots, Rekka picked up and rolled up her sleeping sack. Packing it away, she was ready for the trip ahead. She helped the others by packing what else needed to be packed back onto the horses.
Now that everything was done and they were set, Rekka turned to hear Justin bidding the bard farewell and thanking him for the story. He had requested him to not go telling the truth to others that he was a dwarf to the people in the castle town. Bartimaeus simply replied that he wouldn't dream of it. That had seemed to embarrass Justin as he grumbled and set off. Lara then bid Bartimaeus farewell, thanking him for his story and his company. With that, she had turned away. Everyone had already set off to the sides of their horses.
Rekka soon found herself faced with the bard again as he turned to her. She wasn't sure how to answer him when he had thanked her about answering his questions. Some hadn't been too pleasant for her. "Um...you're welcome..." She wasn't really sure how she felt about that but she did mind her manners. What Bartimaeus had said to her next though gave her pause. Blinking up at him, questioningly, she wondered what he had meant about the fire. The way he said it sounded so cryptic.
"I'll um...be sure to heed that." She found it strange that he would be telling her this. Had he known her reaction to the fire last night or something? Or was it coincidental and he knew of something that lay ahead? Whatever the case, it had boggled her. Seeing that the others were ready to leave, Rekka wanted to not keep them all waiting.
"Well, I must be off. Thank you for the story, the fire and the company. Goodbye!" With that, she walked over to her horse and climbed astride it. Now, she was ready to take off with the rest.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2013 23:26:18 GMT -5
The days and nights passed in similar fashions. The majority of the time was spent on the saddle, riding hard along the path as the mountains came closer and closer until at last the land began to rise on a steady slope. It was a hard travel on the horses, and for that reason Lara slowed their pace as they rose up through the mountains. They followed the regular path, the one that the bard warned them not to take.
The first day they set camp along the side of the rode. The mountains now towered above them, and in the day to come they would be climbing into the dangerous mountain pass. Currently they were lucky to not have run into any enemies. No heartless, no goblins, no orcs, no nobodies or anything of that sort. The new danger, if it was out there, had yet to face them.
Lara sat beside a fire, watching the camp around her. It was her turn to do the first watch, Lucas taking the second this time, and Ty the third. It was colder here, closer to the mountains. They were shadowed by trees that climbed with the mountains, some growing at odd angles out of the ground. The trees were so scattered around them that the terrains still maintained its mountainy feel to Lara.
She had chosen to make camp by a large pine tree, where the ground was decently flat enough. The mountain pass ahead could be seen from even here. It was a path that was drilled into the mountain eons ago, sometime before the great war. Parts of it went through large caverns, while others through actual gaps in the mountains. The path, as Lara remembered it, was large enough that a caravan could pass through, wagon by wagon. There were many sub paths that went off the path as well, created by different people at different times through history.
The Bard could very well be right that he had found another way through the mountains. But Lara saw no reason to not follow the main path. Any "danger" as he had put it, they could probably take on pretty easily. They were seasoned warriors after all.
Yawning, Lara wondered how much time she had left on her shift. She used the moon above to try and tell how much time she had left. "Couple more hours I guess." She confirmed to herself. The first watch wasn't that bad, time just seemed to be passing so slowly tonight. That and she was pretty tired. They'd traveled hard and quick and it was beginning to show. Yawning again, Lara decided to just close her eyes for a moment. She'd open them in a second.
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Got watched the human shut her eyes, from the tree he clung too. The darkness of the night along with the natural ability of his race kept almost all of his body hidden from those no more then fifty feet away from him. All but his yellow eyes. Even though the darkness hid him, he could still feel the calling of the dagger at his side. It's thirst for blood came even stronger knowing that Got was very tempted to leap from the tree and start a frenzy. Human meat really was quite delicious. And that tiger... he could make a mighty fine fur coat that would be the envy of his fellow goblins. That was of course if Xdar didn't claim it for himself.
Got was quite young compared to the others in Xdar's tribe. He wasn't even a scout, and had come upon these travelers by accident. He had actually left in a bit of a hurry, having lost in a challenge to a much stronger larger elf. His blade had called for blood then too, but pulling a knife on a fellow tribemen was not acceptable anymore. Ever since Xdar had come, from where no one really knew, none could disobey him. He was a shaman, a magic user who had led them to many victories since they had stationed themselves in the mountain pass. Even the humans who traveled there couldn't stop him.
"This will put me in his favor." Got mumbled to himself. He'd tell his chief that there were travelers coming. Perhaps he'd even let Got keep the tiger's coat! Smiling, Got climbed down the tree quietly and swiftly. He only stood three feet tall, with green skin, long pointy ears, skinny arms that ended in claws, and feet that did not lie flat on the ground. He was dressed in simple light leather armor, with a torso guard, and knee and leg pads. His knife, with a brown handle that ended in a red ruby, was sheathed and hung on a leather belt.
The knife, he had found in a dragon's cave, the only relic that remained of looted treasure. It had just sat there on the floor, but Got could hear its call even from outside the cave. It had wanted him to find it, and it wanted him to kill with it. What Got did not know was that the knife was an ancient relic. Something that if it fell in the wrong hands, could cause massive chaos and destruction.
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Morning came much quicker that Lara would have liked. Ty woke them up at the time that was agreed upon and then it was time to pack up, feed themselves and the horses, and then begin the journey into the mountain pass.
"Alright everyone. Today we won't be going as hard as before. However do not let your guard down. As soon as we step into that pass we are in much more danger then we have been this entire journey. I do not expect to get through without at least a skirmish or two. So make sure weapons are out and ready if need be. Lucas you make sure you drop back, Ty and Justin if it comes to battle you two take the front two points. Rekka, you and I will take the middle and sides. Any questions?" If not they'd begin to start into the mountain pass.
((OOC: You can have them head into the pass if you want with your next post.))
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Post by Sprow on Jan 8, 2013 0:25:54 GMT -5
Travel had been hard on them all. Rekka was convinced that her behind was thoroughly flattened. If she didn't know any better, she'd guess that her behind also had a permanent imprint of the saddle she rode every day. Still, she hadn't complained to anyone throughout the journey. Instead, she suffered in silence. Through the time she spent with the others, they didn't generally have much time to interact with one another.
Ever since that bard had told her of the flames, Rekka puzzled over what he had meant. Did he truly know her problem with fire or was there something that lay ahead on their path? Whatever the case, she still knew that fire seemed to be causing something inside of her to stir. It wasn't pleasant for her since it sometimes made her feel feverish and it only grew the longer she could see the flames. Not only that but each fire they've had so far appeared to be rather lively and didn't fade until well into the night when everyone was asleep. It was puzzling as to why she had such reactions towards the flames. By now, she had thought that she'd have gotten used to it by now but she hadn't. So far, she managed to hide it from everyone about her discomfort caused by the flames.
Rekka was glad that they hadn't managed to run into any enemies just yet. She was decent with her father's sword but she hadn't exactly been as seasoned as the rest of them were. She worried that she would be a burden on the rest of the group. In her eyes, she had been brought along too early for her skills. Never the less, she figured Lara knew there was something about her that Rekka didn't. That was the only thing she was going to allow herself to believe.
They had made it to the mountain's foot. Looking at it before going to bed, Rekka felt a sense of foreboding. Just what lay ahead of them? Deciding it might be best to not ponder this, Rekka had gone to sleep, facing away from the fire as she was accustomed to doing ever since her discomfort. Rekka wasn't sick as far as she knew since the feeling went away once the fire was gone. Just what was wrong with her? She wasn't sure but she didn't voice this to anyone. The last thing she needed was to appear as if she were a burden being new and all.
By the time morning had come, everyone woke upon Ty's call. Eating breakfast, packing and preparing, Rekka was as ready as the rest to venture into the mountain pass. Lara spoke up, telling them that they wouldn't be going as hard as before. They were to keep their guards up. Once they set foot into the pass, danger would be much higher than before. Lara even expected skirmishes along the way. Rekka inwardly swallowed hearing all of this. Could she do it? She wasn't so sure. Even when Lara told her where she was to take position in the middle to protect their sides, she wasn't confident. Oh well, she'll have to see once they got there. Hopefully not too soon either.
When no one questioned Lara about their positioning, Lara lead the way into the mountain pass. Rekka forced her horse to follow suite and they quietly began their way up the mountain pass. Already, Rekka could feel that unpleasant tingling feeling in her spine. The atmosphere itself felt unwelcoming and dark. Just what kind of mess were they getting themselves into?
'I must not think of all the negatives,' she thought, side glancing at one of the others who was traveling alongside her. Hopefully, not much trouble would come to them. Also, what was this new danger? Rekka had to wonder what could be worse than what had been said that was known to live here in these parts.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2013 1:03:02 GMT -5
They rode the horses in a somewhat straight line formation, with Lara at the front. She knew this mountain pass best, and so it was her duty to lead it. As she had thought the pass was about seven feet across. It was cut right into the side of the mountain and with the mountain towering on their left and right. Every so often they would come across a path that would verge into the mountain itself. If one took the time to glance into them, some paths might look dark and forbidding, ending in darkness. Others rose along the mountain leading upward. Any of these could have been another path to take. However it wasn't a path Lara knew.
It would take three days to make it through the pass. Once through they'd be out of the mountains for good. The mountain pass was not straight and flat. It arced, turned, curved, and steeped. They wouldn't make it to the caves yet, but when they did they'd have to walk the horses. Lara couldn't remember if they'd make it to the caves today or tomorrow.
Either way she said nothing. Even Justin and Ty seemed to pick up on the silence because neither of them spoke. They all listened to the voice of the mountain, keeping eyes out for almost anything or everything. Who knew where enemies might lie? For a while, in the beginning, Lara thought that perhaps they might not even run into any enemy. However after half a day she was proven wrong.
The first sign of trouble came from the sound of something moving down the mountain behind them. Lara was quick to turn around to see five green goblins in armor slide down the mountain. They were all about three feet tall, and dressed in brown leather armor. There clawed hands held clubs in hand as they slid to the ground that they rode their horses on twenty yards back.
"Formation!" Lara called out, seeing Ty step in front of Lucas as he fell behind Lara. Justin and Lucas both leaped off their horses, Lara following quickly after. She hadn't summoned her armor just yet.
If their enemy were only these four goblins then things wouldn't be so bad. But hearing the sound of footsteps behind her made Lara pause. Turning back the way they were headed, Lara spotted fifteen more goblins walking towards them. At their head was a goblin the size of a human. Wearing the same leather armor, he also wore a necklace of animal skulls around his neck, had a brown torn cape flapping behind his back, and a spear in his hand. The other goblins held various clubs and daggers.
"Who comes down Xdar's path!" Lara was surprised to hear the goblin speak the plain human language! She'd never met a goblin who could do such a thing.
Lara faced the oncoming goblins as they stopped about fifteen feet in front of them. Already Lara was coming up with a plan. Going forward would be stupid. They couldn't take on fifteen goblins at once while having to worry about their backs. "Ty and Justin you guys are going to take out the four behind us on my signal. We'll retreat back, to a spot where we can take them on with a wall to our backs."
"No good captain." Lucas pointed out. "They have four bowman from where the other four slid from with arrows at our backs. We wouldn't make it, and I don't think I can take all four of them at once."
Lara swore aloud. That wasn't good. "Xdar said! Who comes down Xdar's path?!" The goblin shouted, not liking to be ignored.
Turning to probably the leader of this group of goblins Lara spoke, "We are a company from the Kingdom of Cornelia. We are seeking passage through these mountains."
The response of the goblins was a mighty and harty laugh. It started with the one who called himself Xdar and was quickly caught by the other goblins. "None enter Xdar's path and leave. You be fine soup for our bellies tonight!"
"Captain what's the plan?" Justin asked. He had his large sword out. Ty was no longer on two legs, having crouched down on all fours. Lucas had withdrawn a large yew bow from his horse, with a quicker of arrows around his shoulder. Lara figured Rekka probably had her weapon out too, but she see her because she was in her blind spot.
Lara needed a plan and she needed a plan fast. Those bowman were dangerous from here. They needed to take out the goblin archers. She could cover Lucas, but she'd have to put all her effort in protecting Lucas from the enemy archers. Rekka would have to take on the four goblins behind them, and Ty and Justin would have to at least hold off the fifteen until the four above were taken out.
"How you going to do that as a human hmm? No human has the magic you do!" Alvi's voice mocked her. Lara had given up her abilities when she gave up Amber. She hadn't used magic since the last time she came to this pass. As a human she didn't have to rely on magic. She used her skills of wisdom and strength to protect her. But she didn't have a choice. There wasn't time to think.
"Ty, Justin take the large mass. Rekka you're going to have to take the four behind. Lucas I'll cover you, while you take the archers. Guys we can do this."
"No more talk! GALASHA!" Apparently that was the signal because in unison the goblins let out a loud battle cry. Lara summoned her armor and ordered everyone to move!
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Post by Sprow on Jan 8, 2013 1:39:39 GMT -5
They went single file through the mountain pass with Lara at their head. Rekka kept silent most of the trip. For some reason, everyone just couldn't bring themselves to break the silence. In this sort of territory, Rekka didn't think speaking would be a wise idea. There was no telling where enemies would be lurking. As Lara had instructed, Rekka had carried her father's sword in her hand while she held her horse's reigns in the other.
As they went, she noticed some passes branching off from the path that they traveled but none of them they took. Lara seemed to know her way and was leading them steadily onward. One pass made Rekka quiver a little. She could see nothing but darkness down that one. How anyone could see down that one she didn't know but neither was she keen on traveling that way. Enemies could easily conceal themselves in such places.
It wasn't long before Lara called out to them "formation". It didn't take long for everyone to take up the positions that Lara had told them to take. Rekka had moved herself next to Lara in the middle with her sword now out. She had slid off the back of her horse and waited. As she stood there, turned to where Lara had been looking, she saw four strange green little creatures. Just what were those things? Were they what people called orcs or were they goblins?
She didn't have long to think on that matter as strange voice was heard. Rekka turned to look over at the owner. If they thought four creatures were bad enough, there were now fifteen more besides and one as tall as they were who looked like their leader. He was speaking to them in their tongue and had been using a strange name. Xdar was apparently him or someone that was their leader here and he was demanding who they were.
Lara told them that they were going to find a wall to protect their backs but Lucas dismissed that idea telling them that there were now four archers above them. They wouldn't make it if they tried. Well, this certainly wasn't a very good situation. Rekka could feel a sense of unease. What were they going to do? The leader of the creatures spoke once more, demanding who they were. He didn't sound happy about them not answering him at first. At this, Lara finally spoke up. At least, they could try to make it through peacefully but Rekka didn't think that it would be possible. It was clear that this lot was here for trouble. They were going to fight inevitably.
The leader promptly told them that no one comes into the pass and leaves. They were going to try and have them for dinner! That sent an unpleasant chill down Rekka's spine. Rekka heard someone voice to the captain what the plan was. Nervously, Rekka waited to hear Lara's orders. So long as she was given orders and in a group, Rekka believed she would be okay. If everyone did their part and it wasn't all left up to her, she was fine.
Sure enough, Lara told everyone what they needed to do. Breathing in deeply, Rekka steadied her father's sword and stepped to where she was instructed. Four goblins were her foes. How would she handle this being outnumbered and not as seasoned? Well, so long as she swung it would make it difficult for them to get in at her and those she was protecting. As she readied herself, seeing the things charge towards them, Rekka felt something odd coming over her again. It was just like the flames except this time, it wasn't as bad.
If anyone had been looking at her, they would have taken notice of the kanji letter in red that had appeared on her forehead. Since they were all preoccupied, this would more likely go unnoticed. However, it wouldn't be hard to ignore the sudden half armor that appeared about certain parts of her body. Rekka didn't even notice them either as the half armor seemed to erupt from kanji letters that had appeared on the sides of her body after the kanji on her forehead. Tendrils spread out like small slivers of flame and wrapped about her in certain spots. She wasn't entirely covered but she was protected a bit better.
Not even aware of the half armor, Rekka swung at the first creature that neared her, making him reel back to avoid getting his chest sliced.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2013 16:46:27 GMT -5
Lara's armor appeared in similar fashion to Rekka's. However her armor did not erupt from kanji letters. However a kanji letter did appear on her forehead as well just briefly, colored brown. Her armor was the same as before, and her weapon was ready if she needed it. Lara could hear Ty and Justin charging towards the oncoming goblins, as Lucas picked up his bow and released a shot.
There was no time for her to watch the arrow. Battle instincts told her that four arrows were all coming down towards Lucas. Lara threw her arms onto the ground and called upon the magic that spilled through her bloods. The earth under Lucas's feet lifted as a wall sprouted up from underneath him. A look of confusion crossed his face only for a moment before all four arrows landed in the earth that Lara had raised.
Lucas fired another three arrows. "They're gone." He announced, leaping from the ten foot wall of earth to the ground.
"Help Rekka." Lara didn't expect anymore goblins to come behind them. She knew Rekka was inexperienced, but the most danger would be in front of them from the majority of the solders.
Now Lara did summon her weapon. Stretching out her hand, a dane axe appeared in it. A long four foot handle was attached to a thin sharp blade. The blade itself was about twelve inches across only with the blade starting off short near the handle, and expanding out as it curved. Faintly, Lara heard the sound of a bow humming behind her as she figured that Lucas must have fired on the goblins attacking Rekka.
She charged, letting out a battle cry of her own towards the enemy. Ty and Justin were in the middle of the goblins, surrounded with the leader hanging back behind his troops. The goblins attention were solely on Ty and Justin, which was a mistake. They had their backs turned to Lara.
Despite being outnumbered Lara really didn't fear the enemy. They might have more numbers, but Lara was a seasoned warrior. So was Ty and Justin. None of them would go down without a fight. Lara feared nothing. And that was her problem. She hadn't expected reinforcements. She hadn't thought that this wasn't some fairy tale. That things didn't always end with the warrior coming out victorious. Amber would have. But Lara.... she did not.
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Got led his troops out of the cave, waiting for the signal. What an honor Xdar had given him! To let him lead the rest of the tribe into battle. There were thirty goblins with him, all waiting for Got to order the attack from where the goblins had slid down before. Watching the human Got had seen fall asleep at camp last night charge towards the other goblins, his eyes went past her to where the great Xdar stood.
He was the tall goblin speaking with no words. He rose his spear and the charging human was forced to stop as a wall of black fire rose between her and the surrounding goblins. Got withdrew his jeweled dagger and felt the presence inside touch on his consciousness. It could not speak, it had no words. But Got could feel its thirst for blood. He raised his dagger issuing the command to attack.
From the cave, two archers stepped forward and fired two shots. Each found their mark in the young archer by the horses. One piercing the head, the other the heart. Another two shots made their mark in the neck of the horses. With no escape, they had no more need for archers. Got led the charge as he, and thirty other goblins, charged down the hill towards the human with an eyepatch and a sword.
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Post by Sprow on Jan 8, 2013 22:12:27 GMT -5
Rekka didn't notice the partial armor just yet. However, the color red couldn't be that hard to miss either. Eventually, she'd take notice of it but since she was focused on the goblins coming at her, she wouldn't just yet. After slashing at the first one near her, Rekka watched him reel backward. His reeling backward had caused one of the other three to stop in their tracks. The pair of them had collided and fell. However, Rekka didn't have time to take advantage of this as the other two advanced on her.
The fact they were smaller made Rekka less fearful of them. Still, she wasn't dumb enough to be too cocky of her size compared to their's. They were swift and slippery little things. Since she was inexperienced, Rekka was clumsy with her attacks. The goblins knew it too. They laughed wickedly as they bobbed and weaved out of the way, seeming to enjoy the idea of playing with her first before making the final strike. Even worse, Rekka could sense this about them. Still, she didn't let it discourage her. She had to figure out how to fend them off.
Lunging again, despite three of the four weaving out of her way, Rekka managed to finally land a strike on one of them. The goblins had been too cocky with her, toying with her like they did. It was only a matter of time before she would have hurt one of them since they weren't taking her as seriously as they should have. With a painful cry, the one she struck looked at where she had lopped off its arm.
Rekka looked at what she had done with surprise. She didn't expect to make such a strike that strongly. For a split second, both sides just looked on in horror and surprise at what happened. Then, they recovered. The goblins, angry for the loss of one of their ally's limbs and for being hurt, focused on Rekka. Rekka blinked and looked at three angry goblins, the fourth pretty much out of commission for now as it wailed over its lost limb.
Thinking she was in for a lot of trouble at this point, it was a sight for sore eyes to find that the two that got near her, almost about to kill her had something protruding from them. Arrows were sticking out of their heads! The final goblin looked on in shock, startled into stopping abruptly again. Rekka, recovering from the sudden attacks knowing who had fired the arrows, struck down the third goblin. Now, there was just he fourth one but he seemed to be backing away for now. Probably the type that would soon get up a bit later and try to strike or flee. Rekka didn't have time to focus on him though for as she turned to Lucas, to thank him, she saw a horrific sight.
Much like the goblins Lucas had killed, Rekka saw him take an arrow to the head and the heart. Even some of their horses were shot down! "NO!" Rekka exclaimed. There were many cries behind her, whirling on the spot, Rekka saw thirty goblins coming their way now! She would be their first target since she was the closest! As she looked at them, Rekka furrowed her eyebrows in anger. They killed Lucas! Where she didn't get to know him for very long, she had considered him a friend.
Her anger surged and within her, she felt a fire growing. Without thinking, she extended her free hand towards the goblins coming and let loose a fire ball the size of a basketball at them crowd coming. That didn't mean it would do too much but she had fired a fireball at them. That certainly wasn't something she knew that she could do. Rekka looked shocked at what she had just done and then she noticed the red partial armor covering her arm's elbow.
"What the-?" There was no time to ponder though, there was a large number of goblins coming toward them. Cutting herself short, Rekka began to retreat a little to regroup with the rest. Her shout earlier would have alerted the rest of their group.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2013 0:49:47 GMT -5
Chaos. There was chaos all around. It was Rekka that made Lara spin. Her own voice erupted in a scream when her eyes fell on Lucas as he fell. But there wasn't time to watch it more. With the fire blocking her way and what looked to be a score of goblins charging towards Rekka now, Lara knew she had to help. There wasn't time to be sad about Lucas's death. That would come later. Now she had to help Rekka.
Axe in hand she knew that she would not make it in time before the goblins came on Rekka unless she began to retreat. Thankfully the girl had the smarts to step back. But she was inexperienced with the sword. "I shouldn't have brought her. She's going to get killed and it's going to be my fault."[/i] Lara thought.
"You can't protect anyone. What could a human really do?!" Alvi mocked as Lara pumped her legs. The goblins all carried various clubs and daggers, and they all charged straight for Rekka.
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They came four by four, Got leading the first group. The first they came upon was the girl with the eye patch. This near to an enemy the ruby dagger in his hand was to much to control. Got turned his mind free to the dagger, and he felt the consciousness take control of his body. The ruby dagger only had a seven inch blade. But if Rekka focused on Got she would see a strange shadow creep up behind this special goblin. As Got stabbed forward with his blade in the air, the shadow behind him stabbed what looked to be a long heavy sword towards Rekka. However if Rekka did not block this blade it would do more then just go past her, for the blade became solid as it sped forward aimed towards her chest.
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Post by Sprow on Jan 9, 2013 22:35:03 GMT -5
Rekka continued to retreat a bit without ending up in the flames that had been conjured between herself and the others. How had that happened? Was it that strange goblin their size? Maybe. Whatever the case, she had to focus on her present situation. She was in danger of being over run right now and if she didn't think of anything quick, she was as good as dead. Poor Lucas didn't even have a chance and he was more experienced than she was. Would she even manage to escape death? Rekka wasn't sure.
She caught sight of a goblin that appeared to be the one leading the thirty toward them. Was he the leader? He seemed not as significant as the previous one though. As he pulled out what appeared to be a dagger, something weird happened. If she thought the goblins coming at her were an issue, she could now see something else was wrong.
A shadow had suddenly emerged from behind the goblin and as he had raised his blade out into the air forward, this shadow formed a blade and was stabbing it down at her as if in unison with his blade! As if on instinct, since logically she couldn't have time to register reaction time on her own with thought process, Rekka brought up her father's blade to block it. It wasn't without recoil though. The force that hit her blade was so strong that it sent Rekka flying backward a couple of steps. It had hurt her wrist to block the damn thing too.
Wincing, Rekka was even surprised she had managed to escape that. There was no time for her to fight Got one on one though. His friends were already starting to surge about them. If she didn't move now, she would be surrounded and trapped. Speedily, Rekka backtracked towards the edge of the flames. She didn't know why but she felt familiarity with flames even if this one was controlled by an enemy.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2013 23:26:39 GMT -5
Lara felt numb. With goblins charging towards her and Rekka, and behind her a wall of flames, Lara felt alone at this moment. Lucas was dead and Rekka might be too if she didn't act. But what could she do? Seeing the shadow creature erupt from one of the goblins, Lara took it as another enemy. A heartless perhaps? It sure looked like one, with a black shadowy like body. However she had never seen a heartless with a sword before.
Watching Rekka recoil from blocking it, Lara finally reached her. How was she supposed to take on thirty enemies?! The one with the shadow continued to fight Rekka, stepping forward as other goblins rushed past the one the shadow hovered over. Lara didn't have much time to watch the shadow attack again, swinging its shadow blade overhead and then across right after.
Three goblins approached her. She sidestepped an oncoming club and swung her own axe overhead into the skull of a goblin with a small sword. Withdrawing it, she barley managed to block the third goblin with another club. Behind these three, other goblins attempted to sneak around Lara and Rekka, in order to surround them.
"Stop tying to be something you're not! You're not a human, you're not an elf! Be who you are for once idiot!" Alvi mocked.
Lara didn't want to be Amber. She was weak and had the blood of evil. Behind her a human's scream erupted that made Lara's blood coil. That was Justin! It was cut off a moment later, as an inhuman growl followed. No... Not Justin!
"You can't protect anyone the way you are. You're going to die!" Alvi shouted in her mind.
Lara blocked a club that came from her right, stabbed, as a goblin managed to get behind her. The nasty creature, with a cruel knife, stabbed towards her back. Lara couldn't go forward and get in the range of another club, so all she managed to do was turn. The dagger missed her back, and instead found its mark in her hip.
The pain sucked. Being a soldier, Lara had wounds before and they always hurt. She'd gotten worse wounds, but this one hurt pretty bad. It brought tears to her eyes, and she dropped her guard. She didn't see the goblin in front of her step forward and raise his club until it was too late.
The goblin wore a wicked grin, knowing well that this was it for Lara. That is, until the sound of a string being played inside her mind made her pause. Not only that but it made the goblin pause as well as everyone who was in the area. Inside her mind a soft lullaby began to play in her head and a warm voice sang.
"Listen to me as I sing, a song that will take you on heaven's wings. Come and count the sheep, and let my lullaby rock you to sleep." A strange sensation began to come over as a type of magic took her and all in the immediate area. Her eye lids began to become heavy, and she found herself stiffing a yawn. Yet the music continued in her mind, along with the mind of every being around. Not a minute later, Lara lost consciousness as she fell asleep as did every other being in the vicinity of the strange magic.
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Post by Sprow on Jan 10, 2013 0:23:17 GMT -5
Rekka really didn't like how the odds were playing out. It seemed like after one skirmish that they were all about to die. The thought frightened her but she couldn't afford to let it overwhelm her. The last time she did, Rekka had lost her eye and her father. She had to overcome what fear she felt and fight. It wasn't easy. Even with her father's sword, having had practice and achieving an acceptable skill with it, she wasn't the best. More seasoned warriors would be a threat to her.
As she had just barely managed to avoid getting cleaved by that shadow sword the first time, she had winced with pain from the recoil. Her wrist couldn't keep blocking something that painful. Still, she wasn't going to go down easy if this was the end for them all. She could hear someone fighting nearby behind her. Since the goblins had surged about them finally, Rekka guessed that someone was aiding her right now. Since she hadn't time to look, she didn't know that Lara was behind her, helping her.
It really looked like they were all going to die and that strange goblin with the sword had stepped forward, intending to continue fighting her. Rekka didn't like it one bit. It was odd and she wasn't accustomed to something so strange attacking her. She had been prepared for physical attacks and nothing magical like this. Even for a magical attack of some kind, she wasn't expecting anything like this.
The shadow, as the goblin swiped with it, motioned the same fashion, trying to cut down at her and then swipe at her. Rekka managed to block the first attack again, receiving another painful recoil with her wrist. The next strike it made, the swipe, Rekka had relled backward to try and avoid it but she didn't go unscathed. For her effort, she hadn't managed to get herself killed but she certainly received a not so nice cut across just under her bust.
Just when things seemed grave, someone having made a cry of some kind and then an inhuman growl, music began playing out of nowhere. Everyone seemed to take pause then, dropping their fighting to look around in wonder. Then, the music became more eerie as people began to drop all around. Rekka had tried to stem the music from her ears but she, too, had fallen unconscious after it. In the process, she had sliced her own leg with her sword landing on it in her fall but a nasty scratch rather than a stab or severeance of limb. She had no idea how lucky she had been to receive neither of the latter two.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2013 12:07:59 GMT -5
Gentle hands shook her awoke. Slowly opening her eyes Lara found herself looking up at Bartimaeus. He held a single finger to his closed lips in symbol for silence. What was the bard doing here?! The last thing that Lara remembered were they were surrounded by goblins, and she had been... Looking down to her side, Lara was surprised to find that a white bandage was wrapped around her hip and the dagger that had been stabbed there was withdrawn.
There was still an ache in her side, but it seemed like the bleeding was slowing at least. The bard helped her stand, but she had to lean on him to really move at all. It's not easy to walk with a wound, much less fight with one. The only reason she had been able to put up any sort of fight after she had been stabbed was adrenaline. That was gone now though.
Glancing around them, Lara spotted goblins galore. They were all sleeping too. Bartimaeus helped Lara get over to the side and lean against the wall. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "I'm going to try and wake your friends. Stay here." Lara nodded. She wasn't in a position to go anywhere.
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Bartimaeus slowly made his way over towards Rekka. He felt like he was going through a maze the way he had to tip toe around sleeping goblins. "Damn them! They should have listened to me!" He thought to himself. It had been an easy decision to follow them. However he couldn't just follow them outright, he had to go his own way for a couple of hours before following their trail.
"What's wrong with people? I'm a decent enough guy... If I hadn't followed them they'd all be dead." Well there was no reason to keep going over it now. Coming over to the sleeping Rekka, his eyes went to her cuts. The scratch on her leg looked the worst. Taking out more bandages from the small pack he had on his side, he bent down and began to wrap her leg tight. It wouldn't do anything for the pain, but it would help.
Once done all that was left was to wake her up. Bartimaeus took a moment to look at the goblin by her feet. Just what was that shadow creature she was fighting? And where did it go? When he had finished playing the lullaby he had expected he would have to use another song to stop the shadow creature. But it had vanished when his lullaby put everyone to slumber.
"Oh well... no point in worrying..." Bartimaeus's eyes locked on the jeweled dagger. And his first thought was for that jewel. That baby had to be worth some good munny back in town. It wouldn't cost much to get a jeweler to take off the ruby for a price. Then Bartimaeus could sell it. "I should wrap it up though. Don't want anyone else to see that I have it." He thought.
Taking another piece of medical cloth, Bartimaeus grabbed the dagger by its blade and wrapped the hilt first, and then the rest of the blade. Little did he know, by not touching the hilt of the blade directly, he wasn't exposed to the consciousness within the blade. Placing the wrapped dagger in his pack, he turned to Rekka.
Just like Lara he gently touched her shoulder, and the magic that kept her asleep subsidded. She should wake any moment now.
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Post by Sprow on Jan 10, 2013 12:52:23 GMT -5
Rekka had been out like a light, her last memory being that of the others falling all around her. She didn't know what had happened. When the time came to wake her, Rekka woke with a start. Jerking awake, she was reminded of her injuries. A wince swept over her face as she was reminded of her injury where that sword had struck her and for some reason, her leg got hurt. How had she managed that? Maybe from the fall?
Blinking away the rest in her eyes, she looked towards who had woken her up. She was soon wide awake when she realized the figure that had just woken her up was the bard from earlier in their journey. He had come, it seemed. Why had he followed them though? Whatever the case, as she looked around in confusion, she figured either he happened upon them like this or he was the one responsible for everyone's falling unconscious here. If that were the case, it showed he wasn't their enemy. At least not in this.
"What-? Did you-?" she couldn't seem to structure together an appropriate sentence right now. She was too mind blown and just getting out of her shock from earlier. Well, they were alive. At least, that's what she figured attesting to the pain in her leg which felt more grim than the other scratch she had. Still, this was nothing compared to the pain she had felt when she lost her eyeball. Nothing could compare to that. That didn't mean she'd have an easier time walking though.
Already, she tried to force herself to her feet by herself. That didn't turn out as well as she had hoped. She wound up staggering to the side, just narrowly catching herself from falling onto a heap of unconscious goblins nearby. Forcing herself to sit, she breathed. "Thank...you..." she said to Bartimaeus. She couldn't figure out who else had wrapped her injured leg.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2013 21:14:53 GMT -5
Lara had not focused on Rekka and Bartimaeus as he went over towards her. Instead she was focusing further on, trying to see what might have become of Justin and Ty. She just now remembered Justin's scream and Ty's growl. What had become of them? From this point, she just couldn't see. There were too many enemies around them still.
Glancing over at the bard and Rekka, she watched Rekka stand. She couldn't hear what he was saying, but she figured he was probably asking her if she needed any help. He pointed over towards her, and made his way over towards Lara.
When they finally made it over to her the bard spoke in a hush. "I've never used the lullaby on something other then humans before. I'm not too sure how well the magic will work against them. So we should stay quiet."
Lara had many questions she wanted to ask the bard. Like why was he even here for instance. But she wanted to know about Ty and Justin as well. "Two of our companions were over there." She pointed to the fewer amount of goblins.
Bartimaeus turned to follow her finger before nodding and heading over there. When the bard was gone, Lara had an opportunity to see how Rekka was. "You alright?" She asked in a hushed tone.
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Post by Sprow on Jan 10, 2013 21:51:41 GMT -5
Rekka wasn't sure what had happened to the others. After thanking Bartimaeus, she tried to search through the mass of bodies around her as she staggered behind the bard. She barely heard Bartimaeus inform her that Lara was some distance away from them. Upon seeing his indication, Rekka limped in that direction. It wasn't pleasant walking fr her leg burned but she made it after much struggling.
When she got there, Rekka sat down to let herself rest. She would be fine. Even if she ended up with new scars, she would be fine. Rekka had survived worse than this. She was just grateful to cheat death a second time. Still, she couldn't afford to do this multiple times. Eventually, she would get burned if she wasn't careful and kept relying on luck to keep her alive.
As she sat there, she heard Lara tell the bard that they had two other companions. Watching her point in a general direction where Ty and Justin had been, Rekka felt an uneasy sensation growing in the pit of her stomach. Lucas was dead. Was there a chance that the scream she heard earlier could have meant the death of another one of their companions? What of that inhuman growl? Had Ty died too? This wasn't a pleasant first journey, that was for sure.
As Bartimaeus left to find them, after telling them that they needed to be quiet since he wasn't sure how the creatures were effected by the magic, she heard Lara speaking to her. Rekka lifted her head to look directly at Lara. "...Scratched bad in the leg but other than that, not bad. I'm alive...and been through worse. You?" she asked her in a similarly hushed tone of voice.
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